#Poem - This May Not Be The 'Change' Nigerians Wanted

Editors Note: According to Opetu Ebibote, this poem titled - Change - was triggered by the present economic situation and the feeling of disappointment that has plagued the minds of Nigerians. Read on.Fathers,When you shouted change with brooms upraisedAnd your fingers with ink you thumbed your fateMothers,When you paraded the markets night and dayWith clothes and wrappers of his faceSinging solidarity, chanting praise namesSons,When you jumped from offices to campaign gatesFor the naira notes that came with handshakesDaughters,When you tweeted their agenda again and againThose lies you heard, staring at yards of foreign laceLittle did you know that change was a moving trainAnd you onboard to an endless stretch of pain

Little did you know that change was an exchangeFood on our tables for tiny grains on our plateThe tiny blinks of light for darkness like the Egyptians plagueThe hum of generators for the crusade at petrol's gateLittle did you know that change was curtain fadeAn entrance to another stage playNow,Fathers,You work tirelessly for the clink of coins on the beggar's trayMothers,You spoon up plates of oil n water; no spiceEaten with aging mounds of garri; no riceSons and daughters,You trade your iPad for rice grainsArms akimbo! Awaiting change

Change has set its tail danglingSweeping the essence of livingLeaving at its trail, dust sprinkled in the airWaiting the call to set aflame your lives again and again.Now your skeletoned arms dance with empty bowlsSeeking change from gods unnamedSo laughable as laughter can beThis change that changes your being